Polymers, polymer compositions and method of preparation

ABSTRACT

A polycarbonate comprises structural units derived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I)  
                 
 
wherein R 1  is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R 2  is selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and an aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and R 3  and R 4  are independently at each occurrence a hydrogen, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons or a cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to polymers prepared using polycyclic dihydroxycompounds. More particularly the disclosure relates to polycarbonatesprepared using polycyclic dihydroxy compounds, methods of preparing thepolycarbonate and polycarbonate resins, compositions comprising thepolycarbonate and polycarbonate resins, and uses thereof.

Polymers are useful in the manufacture of articles and components for awide range of applications, from automotive parts to electronicappliances. Because of their broad use, particularly in high heatapplications and in optical applications, it is desirable to providepolymers with high glass transition temperatures (Tg), high refractiveindex (RI) or both high Tg and high RI.

Accordingly there remains a need in the art for polymers that have highTg, high RI, or both, particularly for use in high temperature opticalapplications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a polymer comprising structural units derived from apolycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I)

wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a cyanofunctionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons andan aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitrofunctionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons,a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and anaromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and each R³ and R⁴,at each occurrence, can be the same or different and are independentlyat each occurrence an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons ora cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, “n” is an integerhaving a value 0 to 4 and “m” is an integer having a value 0 to 4.

In one embodiment a process for preparing a polymer comprisingstructural units derived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula(I) comprises subjecting a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I)to polymerization.

Also disclosed herein are method of making the polymer, compositionscomprising the polymer and articles comprising the polymer.

The above-described and other features are exemplified by the followingdetailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are polymers prepared using polycyclic dihydroxycompounds. These polymers may find use in high heat and opticalapplications.

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. All ranges disclosed herein areinclusive and combinable (for example ranges of “up to 25 weight (wt.)percent, with 5 wt. percent to 20 wt. percent desired,” is inclusive ofthe endpoints and all intermediate values of the ranges of “5 wt.percent to 25 wt. percent”.

The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive ofthe stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (forexample, includes the degree of error associated with measurement of theparticular quantity)

“BPA” is herein defined as bisphenol A and is also known as2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol andp,p-BPA.

In one embodiment a polymer comprises structural units derived from apolycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I)

wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a cyanofunctionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons andan aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitrofunctionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons,a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and anaromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and each R³ and R⁴,at each occurrence, can be the same or different and are independentlyat each occurrence an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons ora cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, “n” is an integerhaving a value 0 to 4 and “m” is an integer having a value 0 to 4. Avariety of polymers may comprise the structural units derived from thepolycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I), including, but not limitedto, polycarbonate, polyester, copolyester-polycarbonate, polyurethane,and epoxide containing polymers.

In one embodiment the polymer comprises structural units derived from apolycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (II)

The compound of Formula (II) may also be referred to asmethyl-4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diphenylcyclohexane-1,1-dicarboxylate.

In one embodiment the polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) maybe prepared by reacting acetone with a compound of Formula (XVIII) inthe presence of a first catalyst to produce dibenzalacetone of Formula(XIX)

followed by reacting the dibenzalacetone of Formula (XIX) in thepresence of a second catalyst with a compound of Formula (XX) to producea compound of Formula (XXI)

and finally reacting the compound of (XXI) with a compound of Formula(XXII) in the presence of an acid catalyst and a promoter to produce acompound of Formula (I),

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, “n” and “m” are defined as above. Furtherdetails regarding the synthesis of polycyclic dihydroxy compounds ofFormula (I) and Formula (II) can be found in copending application Ser.No. ______ (Attorney docket No. 176117-1) filed on ______.

Cycloaliphatic ester functionality, as used herein, is intended todesignate a cycloaliphatic functionality attached to a esterfunctionality, for example, cycloaliphatic-OC(O)—. Unless otherwisespecified, the term “cycloaliphatic functionality” as used herein isintended to designate cyclic aliphatic functionalities comprising anarray of atoms which is cyclic but which is not aromatic. A“cycloaliphatic functionality” may comprise one or more noncycliccomponents. For example, a cyclohexylmethyl group (C₆H₁₁CH₂—) is acycloaliphatic functionality which comprises a cyclohexyl ring (thearray of atoms which is cyclic but which is not aromatic) and amethylene group (the noncyclic component). The cycloaliphaticfunctionality may include heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur,selenium, silicon and oxygen, or may be composed exclusively of carbonand hydrogen. For convenience, the term “cycloaliphatic functionality”is defined herein to encompass a wide range of functional groups such asalkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, haloalkyl groups,conjugated dienyl groups, alcohol groups, ether groups, carboxylic acidgroups, acyl groups (for example carboxylic acid derivatives such asesters and amides), amine groups and nitro groups. For example, the4-methylcyclopent-1-yl group is a C₆ cycloaliphatic functionalitycomprising a methyl group, the methyl group being a functional groupwhich is an alkyl group. Similarly, the 2-nitrocyclobut-1-yl group is aC₄ cycloaliphatic functionality comprising a nitro group, the nitrogroup being a functional group. A cycloaliphatic functionality maycomprise one or more halogen atoms which may be the same or different.Exemplary cycloaliphatic functionalities comprise cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, 1,1,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutyl, piperidinyl,2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperydinyl, cyclohexyl, and cyclopentyl

As used herein, the term “aromatic ester functionality” refers to anarray of atoms having a valence of at least one comprising at least onearomatic group attached to a ester functionality, for example, aromaticgroup-OC(O)—. The array of atoms comprising at least one aromatic groupmay include heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, silicon andoxygen, or may be composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. As usedherein, the term “aromatic functionality” includes, but is not limitedto phenyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, naphthyl, phenylene, and biphenylfunctionalities. The aromatic functionality may also include nonaromaticcomponents. For example, a benzyl group is an aromatic functionalitythat comprises a phenyl ring (the aromatic group) and a methylene group(the nonaromatic component). Similarly a tetrahydronaphthylfunctionality is an aromatic functionality comprising an aromatic group(C₆H₃) fused to a nonaromatic component -(CH₂)₄—. For convenience, theterm “aromatic functionality” is defined herein to encompass a widerange of functional groups such as alkyl groups, haloalkyl groups,haloaromatic groups, alcohol groups, ether groups, carboxylic acidgroups, acyl groups (for example carboxylic acid derivatives such asesters and amides), amine groups and nitro groups. For example, the4-methylphenyl functionality is a C₇ aromatic functionality comprising amethyl group, the methyl group being a functional group which is analkyl group. Similarly, the 2-nitrophenyl group is a C₆ aromaticfunctionality comprising a nitro group, the nitro group being afunctional group. Aromatic functionalities include halogenated aromaticfunctionalities. Exemplary aromatic functionalities include phenyl,4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 4-chloromethylphen-1-yl,3-trichloromethylphen-1-yl (3-CCl₃Ph-), 4-(3-bromoprop-1-yl)phen-1-yl(4-BrCH₂CH₂CH₂Ph-), 4,4-aminophen-1-yl (4-H₂NPh-),4-hydroxymethylphen-1-yl (4-HOCH₂Ph-), 4-methylthiophen-1-yl(4-CH₃SPh-), 3-methoxyphen-1-yl and 2-nitromethylphen-1-yl (2-NO₂CH₂Ph)and naphthyl.

As used herein the term “aliphatic functionality” refers to an organicfunctionality consisting of a linear or branched array of atoms which isnot cyclic. As used herein, the term “aliphatic ester functionality”refers to an array of atoms having a valence of at least one comprisingat least one aliphatic functionality group attached to a esterfunctionality, for example, aliphatic group-OC(O)—. Aliphaticfunctionalities are defined to comprise at least one carbon atom. Thearray of atoms comprising the aliphatic functionality may includeheteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, selenium and oxygen ormay be composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. For convenience, theterm “aliphatic functionality” is defined herein to encompass, as partof the “linear or branched array of atoms which is not cyclic” a widerange of functional groups such as alkyl groups, haloalkyl groups,alcohol groups, ether groups, carboxylic acid groups, acyl groups (forexample carboxylic acid derivatives such as esters and amides), aminegroups and nitro groups. For example, the 4-methylpent-1-yl is a C₆aliphatic functionality comprising a methyl group, the methyl groupbeing a functional group which is an alkyl group. Similarly, the4-nitrobut-1-yl group is a C₄ aliphatic functionality comprising a nitrogroup, the nitro group being a functional group. An aliphaticfunctionality may be a haloalkyl group which comprises one or morehalogen atoms which may be the same or different. Exemplary aliphaticfunctionalities may be include, but are not limited to methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl,bromodifluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, chloromethyl,trichloromethyl, bromoethyl, 2-hexyl, hexamethylene, hydroxymethyl(—CH₂OH), mercaptomethyl (—CH₂SH), methylthio(—SCH₃), methylthiomethyl(—CH₂SCH₃), methoxy, methoxycarbonyl (CH₃OCO—), nitromethyl (—CH₂NO₂)and thiocarbonyl.

“Polycarbonates” and “polycarbonate resins” as used herein are polymerscomprising structural units represented by Formula (III):

wherein at least about 60 percent of the total number of R⁵ groups arearomatic functionalities and the balance thereof are aliphatic,alicyclic, or aromatic functionalities and further wherein at least twoR⁵ groups are derived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula(I).

The aromatic functionality may also comprise a functionality of theFormula (IV):-A¹-Y¹-A²-  (IV)wherein each of A¹ and A² is a monocyclic divalent aromaticfunctionality and Y¹ is a bridging functionality having one or two atomsthat separate A¹ from A². In an exemplary embodiment, one atom separatesA¹ from A². Illustrative non-limiting examples of functionalities ofthis type are —O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O₂)—, —C(O)—, methylene,cyclohexyl-methylene, 2-[2.2.1]-bicycloheptylidene, ethylidene,isopropylidene, neopentylidene, cyclohexylidene, cyclopentadecylidene,cyclododecylidene, and adamantylidene. The bridging functionality Y¹ maybe a hydrocarbon group or a saturated hydrocarbon group such asmethylene, cyclohexylidene, or isopropylidene.

“Polyesters” as used herein may comprise repeating structural units ofthe Formula (V)

wherein D is derived from a divalent functionality derived from adihydroxy compound, and may be, for example, a cycloaliphaticfunctionality having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, an aromatic functionalityhaving 6 to 20 carbon atoms or an aliphatic functionality having 2 to 10carbon atoms and wherein at least two of D are derived from a polycyclicdihydroxy compound of Formula (I); and T is a divalent functionalityderived from a dicarboxylic acid, and may be, for example, acycloaliphatic functionality having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, an aromaticfunctionality having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or an aliphatic functionalityhaving 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

In one embodiment, D comprises an aliphatic functionality having 2 to 10carbon atoms. In another embodiment, D may be derived from an aromaticdihydroxy compound of Formula (VI):

wherein each R^(f) is independently a halogen atom, an aliphaticfunctionality having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and n is an integer having avalue 0 to 4. Examples of compounds that may be represented by theFormula (VI) include, but are not limited to resorcinol, substitutedresorcinol compounds such as 5-methyl resorcinol, 5-ethyl resorcinol,5-propyl resorcinol, 5-butyl resorcinol, 5-t-butyl resorcinol, 5-phenylresorcinol, 5-cumyl resorcinol, 2,4,5,6-tetrafluoro resorcinol,2,4,5,6-tetrabromo resorcinol, or the like; catechol; hydroquinone;substituted hydroquinones such as 2-methyl hydroquinone, 2-ethylhydroquinone, 2-propyl hydroquinone, 2-butyl hydroquinone, 2-t-butylhydroquinone, 2-phenyl hydroquinone, 2-cumyl hydroquinone,2,3,5,6-tetramethyl hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetra-t-butyl hydroquinone,2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo hydroquinone, orthe like; or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoingcompounds.

In one embodiment the T is a divalent functionality derived from adicarboxylic acid compound of Formula (XVII)

wherein R⁸ is independently at each occurrence hydroxy, chloro, or OR⁹,wherein R⁹ is independently at each occurrence selected from the groupconsisting of an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, acycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, and an aromaticfunctionality having 6 to 10 carbons. In one embodiment the divalentfunctionality “T” comprises a cycloaliphatic functionality having 6 to10 carbon atoms, an aromatic functionality having 6 to 20 carbon atoms,or an aliphatic functionality having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Examples of aromatic dicarboxylic acids that may be used to prepare thepolyesters include, but are not limited to 1,6-hexanedioic acid,phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, fumaric acid, maleicacid, azelaic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, sebacicacid, malonic acid, succinic acid, 1,2-di(p-carboxyphenyl)ethane,4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl ether, 4,4′-bisbenzoic acid, and mixturescomprising at least one of the foregoing acids. Acids containing fusedrings can also be present, such as in 1,4-, 1,5-, or2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acids. Specific dicarboxylic acids areterephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid,cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof. A specificdicarboxylic acid comprises a mixture of isophthalic acid andterephthalic acid wherein the weight ratio of terephthalic acid toisophthalic acid is about 10:1 to about 0.2:9.8. In another specificembodiment, D is a C₂₋₆ alkylene functionality and T is p-phenylene,m-phenylene, naphthalene, a divalent cycloaliphatic functionality, or amixture thereof. This class of polyester includes the poly(alkyleneterephthalates).

“Copolyester-polycarbonate” or “copolyestercarbonate” or “polyestercarbonate” as used herein are copolymers containing recurring carbonateunits of Formula (III) in addition to the repeating units of Formula (V)as defined above. In one embodiment either repeating carbonate units ofFormula (III) or repeating units of Formula (V) or repeating units ofFormula (III) and repeating units of Formula (V) comprise structuralunits derived from the polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I).

Polyurethane as used herein are polymers containing recurring unitshaving Formula (VII)

wherein O—R⁶—O is a divalent functionality derived from a dihydroxycompound or polyhydroxy compound; wherein at least two of R⁶ are eachindependently structural units derived from a dihydroxy compound ofFormula (I); and wherein “Q” is a divalent functionality derived from adiisocyanate compound, having Formula (VIII)Q(NCO)₂  (VIII)wherein Q comprises a divalent aliphatic functionality having 2 to 28carbons, a divalent cycloaliphatic functionality having 4 to 15 carbons,or a divalent aromatic functionalityl having 6 to 15 carbons.

Suitable examples of diisocyanate include but are not limited to,toluene-2,6-diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 2,4′-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, 1,3-phenylenediisocyanate, 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, toluene-2,4-diisocyanate, andcombinations of two or more of the foregoing diisocyanate compounds.

Epoxide-containing polymer as used herein are polymers having thestructure of Formula (IX)

wherein R⁷ is a divalent functionality derived from a dihydroxycompound; wherein at least two of R⁷ are each structural units derivedfrom a dihydroxy compound of Formula (I); and wherein “q” is 2 to about20.

In one embodiment a polycarbonate comprises at least two structuralunits derived from a dihydroxy compound of Formula (II)

The polymer described above may be a homopolymer containing structuralunits derived from a single polycyclic dihydroxy compound represented byFormula (I) or a copolymer comprising structural units derived from twoor more of the polycyclic dihydroxy compounds represented by Formula (I)or may be a copolymer comprising structural units derived from one ormore polycyclic dihydroxy compound represented by Formula (I) andstructural units derived from other dihydroxy compounds. Accordingly, inone embodiment the polymer may comprise 1 mole percent to about 100 molepercent of R⁵ units derived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound ofFormula (I). Within this range the amount may be greater than or equalto about 5 mole percent, or, more specifically, greater than or equal toabout 10 mole percent. Also within this range the amount may be lessthan or equal to about 80 mole percent, or, more specifically less thanor equal to about 50 mole percent.

In one embodiment the dihydroxy compounds that may be useful in formingthe copolymer with the polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) maybe represented by Formula (XI)HO—R¹⁰—OH  (XI)wherein R¹⁰ includes a functionality of Formula (IV),-A¹-Y¹-A²-;  (IV)and wherein Y¹, A¹ and A² are as defined above. In another embodimentthe dihydroxy compound includes bisphenol compounds of general Formula(XII):

wherein R^(a) and R^(b) each represent a halogen atom or an aliphaticfunctionality having C₁-C₁₀ carbon atoms and may be the same ordifferent; r and s are each independently integers of 0 to 4; and Z^(t)represents one of the groups of Formula (XIII):

wherein R^(h) and R^(i) each independently represent a hydrogen atom oran aliphatic functionality having C₁-C₁₀ carbon atoms or acycloaliphatic functionality having C₃-C₁₀ carbon atoms and R^(j) is adivalent aliphatic functionality having C₁-C₁₀ carbon atoms.

Some illustrative, non-limiting examples of suitable dihydroxy compoundsthat may be used in combination with the polycyclic dihydroxy compoundof Formula (I) include, but are not limited to the following:resorcinol, 4-bromoresorcinol, hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone,1,1-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)cyclohexane,2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine, eugenol siloxanebisphenol, 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl, 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene,2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylmethane,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-naphthylmethane, 1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane,2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propane,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-bromophenyl)propane,1,1-bis(hydroxyphenyl)cyclopentane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)isobutene,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclododecane,trans-2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butene,2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)adamantine, (alpha,alpha′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)toluene, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetonitrile,2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-ethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-n-propyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-isopropyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-sec-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-cyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-allyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane,1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene,1,1-dibromo-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene,1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(5-phenoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene,4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone, 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone,1,6-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-hexanedione, ethylene glycolbis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ether, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ether,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfide, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxide,bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone, 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorine,2,7-dihydroxypyrene,6,6′-dihydroxy-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylspiro(bis)indane (“spirobiindanebisphenol”), 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalide,2,6-dihydroxydibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,6-dihydroxythianthrene,2,7-dihydroxyphenoxathin, 2,7-dihydroxy-9,10-dimethylphenazine,3,6-dihydroxydibenzofuran, 3,6-dihydroxydibenzothiophene, and2,7-dihydroxycarbazole, as well as combinations comprising at least oneof the foregoing dihydroxy compounds.

Specific examples of the types of bisphenol compounds may include, butare not limited to 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) methane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane(hereinafter “bisphenol A” or “BPA”), 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) butane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) octane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) n-butane,2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-1-methylphenyl)propane, and1,1-bis(4-hydroxy-t-butylphenyl)propane. Combinations comprising atleast one of the foregoing dihydroxy compounds may also be used. In oneembodiment the bisphenol compound employed is bisphenol A.

The polymer may be a branched polymer. Branched polymers comprisingstructural units derived from the dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) maybe prepared by adding a branching agent during polymerization. Thesebranching agents include polyfunctional organic compounds containing atleast three functional groups selected from hydroxyl, carboxyl,carboxylic anhydride, haloformyl, and mixtures of the foregoingfunctional groups. Specific examples include, but are not limited totrimellitic acid, trimellitic anhydride, trimellitic trichloride,tris-p-hydroxy phenyl ethane, isatin-bis-phenol, tris-phenol TC(1,3,5-tris((p-hydroxyphenyl)isopropyl)benzene), tris-phenol-PA(4(4(1,1-bis(p-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl) alpha, alpha-dimethylbenzyl)phenol), 4-chloroformyl phthalic anhydride, trimesic acid, andbenzophenone tetracarboxylic acid. All types of polycarbonate end groupsare contemplated as being useful in the polycarbonate composition,provided that such end groups do not significantly affect desiredproperties of the thermoplastic compositions.

In one specific embodiment, the polymer is a polycarbonate wherein thepolycarbonate is a linear homopolymer derived from polycyclic dihydroxycompounds of Formula (I) or a copolymer comprising repeating unitsderived from polycyclic dihydroxy compounds of Formula (I) and repeatingunits derived from bisphenol A. In one embodiment the polycarbonate mayhave a refractive index of greater than or equal to 1.500. In anotherembodiment the polycarbonate may have a refractive index of greater thanor equal to 1.580. In yet another embodiment the polycarbonate may havea refractive indeed of greater that or equal to 1.600. In one embodimentthe polycarbonate may have a Tg greater than or equal to 150° C. Inanother embodiment the polycarbonate may have a Tg greater than or equalto 180° C. In yet another embodiment the polycarbonate may have a Tggreater than or equal to 200° C. The polycarbonates may have a weightaverage molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 200,000, specificallyabout 20,000 to about 100,000 as measured by gel permeationchromatography.

Suitable polycarbonates, polyesters and copolyester-carbonates may bemanufactured by processes such as interfacial polymerization and meltpolymerization. Although the reaction conditions for interfacialpolymerization may vary, an exemplary process generally involvesdissolving or dispersing a dihydric phenol reactant in aqueous sodiumhydroxide or potassium hydroxide, adding the resulting mixture to asuitable water-immiscible solvent medium, and contacting the reactantswith a carbonate precursor in the presence of a suitable catalyst suchas triethylamine or a phase transfer catalyst, under controlled pHconditions, for example, about 8 to about 10. The most commonly usedwater immiscible solvents include, but are not limited to methylenechloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chlorobenzene and toluene. Suitablecarbonate precursors include, for example, a carbonyl halide such ascarbonyl bromide or carbonyl chloride, or a haloformate such as abishaloformate of a dihydric phenol (for example, the bischloroformatesof bisphenol A, hydroquinone, or the like) or a glycol (for example, thebishaloformate of ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, polyethyleneglycol, or the like) or esters (for example, bismethylsalicylate (bMSC))or diphenyl carbonate (DPC). Combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing types of carbonate precursors may also be used. The resultantpolymers, may have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 10,000 toabout 200,000, or, more specifically about 20,000 to about 100,000 asmeasured by gel permeation chromatography.

A chain stopper (also referred to as a capping agent) may be includedduring polymerization. The chain-stopper limits molecular weight growthrate, and so controls molecular weight in the polycarbonate. Achain-stopper may be at least one of mono-phenolic compounds,mono-carboxylic acid chlorides, and mono-chloroformates.

For example, mono-phenolic compounds suitable as chain stoppers includemonocyclic phenols, such as phenol, C₁-C₂₂ alkyl-substituted phenols,p-cumyl-phenol, p-tertiary-butyl phenol, hydroxy diphenyl; andmonoethers of diphenols, such as p-methoxyphenol. Alkyl-substitutedphenols include those with branched chain alkyl substituents having 8 to9 carbon atoms. A mono-phenolic UV absorber may be used as cappingagent. Such compounds include 4-substituted-2-hydroxybenzophenones andtheir derivatives, aryl salicylates, monoesters of diphenols such asresorcinol monobenzoate, 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)-benzotriazoles and theirderivatives, 2-(2-hydroxyaryl)-1,3,5-triazines and their derivatives.Specifically, mono-phenolic chain-stoppers include phenol,p-cumylphenol, and resorcinol monobenzoate.

Mono-carboxylic acid chlorides may also be suitable as chain stoppers.These include monocyclic, mono-carboxylic acid chlorides such as benzoylchloride, C₁-C₂₂ alkyl-substituted benzoyl chloride, toluoyl chloride,halogen-substituted benzoyl chloride, bromobenzoyl chloride, cinnamoylchloride, 4-nadimidobenzoyl chloride, and mixtures thereof; polycyclic,mono-carboxylic acid chlorides such as trimellitic anhydride chloride,and naphthoyl chloride; and mixtures of monocyclic and polycyclicmono-carboxylic acid chlorides. Chlorides of aliphatic monocarboxylicacids with up to 22 carbon atoms are suitable. Functionalized chloridesof aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, such as acryloyl chloride andmethacryoyl chloride, are also suitable. Also suitable aremono-chloroformates including monocyclic, mono-chloroformates, such asphenyl chloroformate, alkyl-substituted phenyl chloroformate, p-cumylphenyl chloroformate, toluene chloroformate, and mixtures thereof.

Among the phase transfer catalysts that may be used are catalysts of theFormula (R^(g))₄Y⁺X, wherein each R^(g) is the same or different, and isan alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Y is a nitrogen orphosphorus atom; and X is a halogen atom or an aliphatic functionalityhaving 1 to 8 carbon atoms or aromatic functionality having 6 to 188carbon atoms. Suitable phase transfer catalysts include, for example,[CH₃(CH₂)₃]₄NX, [CH₃(CH₂)₃]₄PX, [CH₃(CH₂)s]₄NX, [CH₃(CH₂)₆]₄NX,[CH₃(CH₂)₄]₄NX, CH₃[CH₃(CH₂)₃]₃NX, and CH₃[CH₃(CH₂)₂]₃NX, wherein X ischloride, bromide⁻, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 8 carbonatoms or aromatic functionality having 6 to 188 carbon atoms. Aneffective amount of a phase transfer catalyst may be about 0.1 to about10 wt. percent based on the weight of bisphenol in the phosgenationmixture. In another embodiment an effective amount of phase transfercatalyst may be about 0.5 to about 2 wt. percent based on the weight ofbisphenol in the phosgenation mixture.

Alternatively, melt processes may be used to make the polycarbonates.Generally, in the melt polymerization process, polycarbonates may beprepared by co-reacting, in a molten state, the dihydroxy reactant(s)and a diaryl carbonate ester, such as diphenyl carbonate, his methylsalicylate or a combination thereof, in the presence of atransesterification catalyst in a Banbury® mixer, twin screw extruder,or the like to form a uniform dispersion. Volatile monohydric phenol isremoved from the molten reactants by distillation and the polymer isisolated as a molten residue.

The transesterification catalysts capable of effecting reaction betweenthe ester and the polycyclic dihydroxy compound may comprise a singlecompound or a mixture of compounds and may be employed in combinationwith one or more co-catalysts such as quaternary ammonium salts orquaternary phosphonium salts. Suitable transesterification catalystsinclude, but are not limited to, alkali metal hydroxides, for example,lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mixturesthereof; alkaline earth metal hydroxides, for example, calciumhydroxide, barium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof; alkali metal salts ofcarboxylic acids, for example, lithium acetate, sodium benzoate, anddipotassium dodecanedioate; alkaline earth metal salts of carboxylicacids, for example, calcium benzoate, calcium adipate, and bariumacetate; salts of a polycarboxylic acid, for example, tetrasodiumethylenediamine tetracarboxylate and disodium magnesium ethylenediaminetetracarboxylate and salts of non-volatile acids, for example, alkalineearth metal salts of phosphates, alkali metal salts of phosphates,alkaline earth metal salts of phosphates, alkali metal salts ofsulfates, alkaline earth metal salts of sulfates, alkali metal salts ofmetal oxo acids, and alkaline earth metal salts of metal oxo acids.Specific examples of salts of non-volatile acids include NaH₂PO₃,NaH₂PO₄, Na₂H₂PO₃, KH₂PO₄, CsH₂PO₄, CsH₂PO₄, Cs₂H₂PO₄, Na₂SO₄, NaHSO₄,NaSbO₃, LiSbO₃, KSbO₃, Mg(SbO₃)₂, Na₂GeO₃, K₂GeO₃, Li₂GeO₃, MgGeO₃,Mg₂GeO₄, and mixtures thereof. As used herein the term “non-volatileacid” means that the acid from which the catalyst is made has noappreciable vapor pressure under melt polymerization conditions.Examples of non-volatile acids include phosphorous acid, phosphoricacid, sulfuric acid, and metal “oxo acids” such as the oxo acids ofgermanium, antimony, niobium and the like.

As mentioned, melt polymerization may be practiced using a co-catalyst.Typically, the co-catalyst is a quaternary ammonium salt or quaternaryphosphonium salt and is used in an amount corresponding to about 10 toabout 250 times the molar amount of melt polymerization catalyst used.The catalyst and co-catalyst, may be added to the reaction mixtureeither simultaneously, or the catalyst and co-catalyst may be addedseparately at different stages of the polymerization reaction.

When activated carbonate precursors (i.e., carbonate precursors thatreact faster than diphenyl carbonate) such as bMSC are used to make thepolycarbonate, polyester and copolyestercarbonate polymers describedherein the polymers can comprise certain physical differences comparedto similar polymers prepared using other melt or interfacial methods.For example, such polymers typically contain some type of internalmethyl salicylate “kink” structures such as shown below, and a certainamount of endcap structures indicative of the use of bMSC as shown inunits represented by Formula (XIV), Formula (XV) and Formula (XVI)

The copolyester-polycarbonate resins may also be prepared by interfacialpolymerization. Rather than utilizing the dicarboxylic acid per se, itis possible to employ the reactive derivatives of the acid, such as thecorresponding acid halides, in particular the acid dichlorides and theacid dibromides. Thus, for example instead of using isophthalic acid,terephthalic acid, or mixtures thereof, it is possible to employisophthaloyl dichloride, terephthaloyl dichloride, and mixtures thereof.

The polyurethanes may be prepared by reacting a dihydroxy compound ofFormula (I) with a diisocyanate compound having Formula (VIII)Q(NCO)₂  (VIII)wherein Q comprises a divalent aliphatic radical having 2 to 28 carbons,a divalent cycloaliphatic radical having 4 to 15 carbons, or a divalentaromatic radical having 6 to 15 carbons. This reaction may be carriedout in the presence of a catalyst such as diazobicyclo[2.2.2]octane(DABCO) as is known in the art.The epoxide containing polymers can be prepared by reacting a dihydroxycompound of Formula (I) with epichlorohydrin in the presence of a baseto form a diglycidyl ether and polymerizing the diglycidyl ethercompound to provide the epoxide-containing polymer having Formula (IX).This reaction can be carried out by methods known in the art.

In addition to the polymers described above, it is also possible to usecombinations of the polymer with other thermoplastic polymers, forexample combinations of polycarbonates and/or polycarbonate copolymerswith polyamides, polyesters, other polycarbonates;copolyester-polycarbonates, olefin polymers such as ABS, polystyrene,polyethylene; polysiloxanes, polysilanes and polysulfones. As usedherein, a “combination” is inclusive of all mixtures, blends and alloys.In certain embodiments the one or more additional resins may be presentpreferably in an amount less than or equal to 40 weight percent, morepreferably less than or equal to 35 weight percent and most preferablyless than or equal to about 30 weight percent based on the total weightof the polymer composition.

In addition to the polycarbonate resin, the thermoplastic compositionmay include various additives ordinarily incorporated in resincompositions of this type, with the proviso that the additives arepreferably selected so as to not significantly adversely affect thedesired properties of the thermoplastic composition. Mixtures ofadditives may be used. Such additives may be mixed at a suitable timeduring the mixing of the components for forming the composition.

Exemplary additives include such materials as fillers or reinforcingagents, thermal stabilizers, radiation stabilizers, antioxidants, lightstabilizers, UV stabilizers, plasticizers, visual effect enhancers,extenders, antistatic agents, catalyst quenchers, mold release agents,flame retardants, infrared shielding agents, whitening agents, blowingagents, anti-drip agents, impact modifiers and processing aids. Thedifferent additives that can be incorporated in the polymer compositionsare typically commonly used and known to those skilled in the art.

Suitable fillers or reinforcing agents include, for example, silicatesand silica powders such as aluminum silicate (mullite), syntheticcalcium silicate, zirconium silicate, fused silica, crystalline silicagraphite, natural silica sand, or the like; boron powders such asboron-nitride powder, boron-silicate powders, or the like; oxides suchas TiO2, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, or the like; calcium sulfate(as its anhydride, dihydrate or trihydrate); calcium carbonates such aschalk, limestone, marble, synthetic precipitated calcium carbonates, orthe like; talc, including fibrous, modular, needle shaped, lamellartalc, or the like; wollastonite; surface-treated wollastonite; glassspheres such as hollow and solid glass spheres, silicate spheres,cenospheres, aluminosilicate (artmospheres), or the like; kaolin,including hard kaolin, soft kaolin, calcined kaolin, kaolin comprisingvarious coatings known in the art to facilitate compatibility with thepolymeric matrix resin, or the like; single crystal fibers or “whiskers”such as silicon carbide, alumina, boron carbide, iron, nickel, copper,or the like; fibers (including continuous and chopped fibers) such asasbestos, carbon fibers, glass fibers, such as E, A, C, ECR, R, S, D, orNE glasses, or the like; sulfides such as molybdenum sulfide, zincsulfide or the like; barium compounds such as barium titanate, bariumferrite, barium sulfate, heavy spar, or the like; metals and metaloxides such as particulate or fibrous aluminum, bronze, zinc, copper andnickel or the like; flaked fillers such as glass flakes, flaked siliconcarbide, aluminum diboride, aluminum flakes, steel flakes or the like;fibrous fillers, for example short inorganic fibers such as thosederived from blends comprising at least one of aluminum silicates,aluminum oxides, magnesium oxides, and calcium sulfate hemihydrate orthe like; natural fillers and reinforcements, such as wood flourobtained by pulverizing wood, fibrous products such as cellulose,cotton, sisal, jute, starch, cork flour, lignin, ground nut shells,corn, rice grain husks or the like; organic fillers such aspolytetrafluoroethylene; reinforcing organic fibrous fillers formed fromorganic polymers capable of forming fibers such as poly(ether ketone),polyimide, polybenzoxazole, poly(phenylene sulfide), polyesters,polyethylene, aromatic polyamides, aromatic polyimides, polyetherimides,polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylic resins, poly(vinyl alcohol) or thelike; as well as additional fillers and reinforcing agents such as mica,clay, feldspar, flue dust, fillite, quartz, quartzite, perlite, tripoli,diatomaceous earth, carbon black, or the like, or combinationscomprising at least one of the foregoing fillers or reinforcing agents.

The fillers and reinforcing agents may be coated with a layer ofmetallic material to facilitate conductivity, or surface treated withsilanes to improve adhesion and dispersion with the polymeric matrixresin. In addition, the reinforcing fillers may be provided in the formof monofilament or multifilament fibers and may be used either alone orin combination with other types of fiber, through, for example,co-weaving or core/sheath, side-by-side, orange-type or matrix andfibril constructions, or by other methods known to one skilled in theart of fiber manufacture. Suitable cowoven structures include, forexample, glass fiber-carbon fiber, carbon fiber-aromatic polyimide(aramid) fiber, and aromatic polyimide fiberglass fiber or the like.Fibrous fillers may be supplied in the form of, for example, rovings,woven fibrous reinforcements, such as 0-90 degree fabrics or the like;non-woven fibrous reinforcements such as continuous strand mat, choppedstrand mat, tissues, papers and felts or the like; or three-dimensionalreinforcements such as braids.

Suitable thermal stabilizer additives include, for example,organophosphites such as triphenyl phosphite,tris-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phosphite, tris-(mixed mono-anddi-nonylphenyl)phosphite or the like; phosphonates such asdimethylbenzene phosphonate or the like, phosphates such as trimethylphosphate, or the like, or combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing heat stabilizers.

Non-limiting examples of antioxidants that can be used includetris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite;3,9-di(2,4-di-tert-butylphenoxy)-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane;3,9-di(2,4-dicumylphenoxy)-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane;tris(p-nonylphenyl)phosphite;2,2′,2″-nitrilo[triethyl-tris[3,3′,5,5′-tetra-tertbutyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2′-diyl]phosphite];3,9-distearyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane;dilauryl phosphite;3,9-di[2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxy]-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane;tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)-4,4′-bis(diphenylene)phosphonite;distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite; diisodecyl pentaerythritoldiphosphite; 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl-2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediolphosphite; tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite;tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)-4,4′-biphenylene diphosphonite;(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)-2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediolphosphite;triisodecylphosphite; and mixtures of phosphites containing at least oneof the foregoing.

Non-limiting examples of UV stabilizers that can be used include2-(2′-Hydroxyphenyl)-benzotriazoles, for example, the 5′-methyl-;3′,5′-di-tert.-butyl-; 5′-tert.-butyl-; 5′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-;5-chloro-3′,5′-di-tert.-butyl-; 5-chloro-3′-tert.-butyl-5′-methyl-;3′-sec.-butyl-5′-tert.-butyl-; 3′-alpha-methylbenzyl-5′-methyl;3′-alpha-methylbenzyl-5′-methyl-5-chloro-; 4′-hydroxy-; 4′-methoxy-;4′-octoxy-; 3′,5′-di-tert.-amyl-; 3′-methyl-5′-carbomethoxyethyl-;5-chloro-3′,5′-di-tert.-amyl-derivatives; and Tinuvin® 234 (availablefrom Ciba Specialty Chemicals). Also suitable are the2,4-bis-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-6-alkyl-s-triazines, for example, the6-ethyl-; 6-heptadecyl-or 6-undecyl-derivatives. 2-Hydroxybenzophenonesfor example, the 4-hydroxy-; 4-methoxy-; 4-octoxy-; 4-decyloxy-;4-dodecyloxy-; 4-benzyloxy-; 4,2′,4′-trihydroxy-;2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy- or 2′-hydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-derivative.1,3-bis-(2′-Hydroxybenzoyl)-benzenes, for example,1,3-bis-(2′-hydroxy-4′-hexyloxy-benzoyl)-benzene;1,3-bis-(2′-hydroxy-4′-octyloxy-benzoyl)-benzene or1,3-bis-(2′-hydroxy-4′-dodecyloxybenzoyl)-benzene may also be employed.Esters of optionally substituted benzoic acids, for example,phenylsalicylate; octylphenylsalicylate; dibenzoylresorcin;bis-(4-tert.-butylbenzoyl)-resorcin; benzoylresorcin;3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid-2,4-di-tert.-butylphenyl esteror -octadecyl ester or -2-methyl-4,6-di-tert.-butyl ester may likewisebe employed. Acrylates, for example, alpha-cyano-beta,beta-diphenylacrylic acid-ethyl ester or isooctyl ester,alpha-carbomethoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester,alpha-cyano-beta-methyl-p-methoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester or -butylester or N(beta-carbomethoxyvinyl)-2-methyl-indoline may likewise beemployed. Oxalic acid diamides, for example, 4,4′-di-octyloxy-oxanilide;2,2′-di-octyloxy-5,5′-di-tert.-butyl-oxanilide;2,2′-di-dodecyloxy-5,5-di-tert.-butyl-oxanilide;2-ethoxy-2′-ethyl-oxanilide;N,N′-bis-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-oxalamide;2-ethoxy-5-tert.-butyl-2′-ethyloxanilide and the mixture thereof with2-ethoxy-2′-ethyl-5,4′-di-tert.-butyl-oxanilide; or mixtures of ortho-and para-methoxy- as well as of o- and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilidesare also suitable as UV stabilizers. Preferably the ultraviolet lightabsorber used in the instant compositions is2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole;2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-amylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole;2-[2-hydroxy-3,5-di-(alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzyl)phenyl]-2H-benzotriazole;2-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole;2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone; nickel bis(O-ethyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate);2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone;2-(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole; nickelbutylamine complex with 2,2′-thiobis(4-tert-butylphenol);2-ethoxy-2′-ethyloxanilide; 2-ethoxy-2′-ethyl-5,5′-ditert-butyloxanilideor a mixture thereof.

Plasticizers, lubricants, and/or mold release agents additives may alsobe used. There is considerable overlap among these types of materials,which include, for example, phthalic acid esters such asdioctyl-4,5-epoxy-hexahydrophthalate;tris-(octoxycarbonylethyl)isocyanurate; tristearin; di- orpolyfunctional aromatic phosphates such as resorcinol tetraphenyldiphosphate (RDP), the bis(diphenyl)phosphate of hydroquinone and thebis(diphenyl)phosphate of bisphenol-A; poly-alpha-olefins; epoxidizedsoybean oil; silicones, including silicone oils; esters, for example,fatty acid esters such as alkyl stearyl esters, for example, methylstearate; stearyl stearate and pentaerythritol tetrastearate. mixturesof methyl stearate and hydrophilic and hydrophobic nonionic surfactantscomprising polyethylene glycol polymers, polypropylene glycol polymers,and copolymers thereof, for example, methyl stearate andpolyethylene-polypropylene glycol copolymers in a suitable solvent;waxes such as beeswax, montan wax, paraffin wax or the like.

Visual effect enhancers, sometimes known as visual effects additives orpigments may be present in an encapsulated form, a non-encapsulatedform, or laminated to a particle comprising polymeric resin. Somenon-limiting examples of visual effects additives are aluminum, gold,silver, copper, nickel, titanium, stainless steel, nickel sulfide,cobalt sulfide, manganese sulfide, metal oxides, white mica, black mica,pearl mica, synthetic mica, mica coated with titanium dioxide,metal-coated glass flakes, and colorants, including but not limited, toPerylene Red. The visual effect additive may have a high or low aspectratio and may comprise greater than 1 facet. Dyes may be employed suchas Solvent Blue 35, Solvent Blue 36, Disperse Violet 26, Solvent Green3, Anaplast Orange LFP, Perylene Red, and Morplas Red 36. Fluorescentdyes may also be employed including, but not limited to, Permanent PinkR (Color Index Pigment Red 181, from Clariant Corporation), Hostasol RedSB (Color Index #73300, CAS #522-75-8, from Clariant Corporation) andMacrolex Fluorescent Yellow 10GN (Color Index Solvent Yellow 160:1, fromBayer Corporation). Pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc sulfide,carbon black, cobalt chromate, cobalt titanate, cadmium sulfides, ironoxide, sodium aluminum sulfosilicate, sodium sulfosilicate, chromeantimony titanium rutile, nickel antimony titanium rutile, and zincoxide may be employed. Visual effect additives in encapsulated formusually comprise a visual effect material such as a high aspect ratiomaterial like aluminum flakes encapsulated by a polymer. Theencapsulated visual effect additive has the shape of a bead.

The term “antistatic agent” refers to monomeric, oligomeric, orpolymeric materials that can be processed into polymer resins and/orsprayed onto materials or articles to improve conductive properties andoverall physical performance. Examples of monomeric antistatic agentsinclude glycerol monostearate, glycerol distearate, glyceroltristearate, ethoxylated amines, primary, secondary and tertiary amines,ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl sulfates, alkylarylsulfates,alkylphosphates, alkylaminesulfates, alkyl sulfonate salts such assodium stearyl sulfonate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate or the like,quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary ammonium resins, imidazolinederivatives, sorbitan esters, ethanolamides, betaines, or the like, orcombinations comprising at least one of the foregoing monomericantistatic agents.

Exemplary polymeric antistatic agents include certain polyesteramides,polyether-polyamide (polyetheramide) block copolymers,polyetheresteramide block copolymers, polyetheresters, or polyurethanes,each containing polyalkylene oxide units that may be polyalkylene glycolfunctionality, for example, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycoland polytetramethylene glycol. Such polymeric antistatic agents arecommercially available, such as, for example, Pelestat™ 6321 (Sanyo),Pebax™ H1657 (Atofina), and Irgastat™ P18 and P22 (Ciba-Geigy). Otherpolymeric materials that may be used as antistatic agents are inherentlyconducting polymers such as polyaniline (commercially available asPANIPOL®EB from Panipol), polypyrrole and polythiophene (commerciallyavailable from Bayer), which retain some of their intrinsic conductivityafter melt processing at elevated temperatures. In one embodiment,carbon fibers, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, or anycombination of the foregoing may be used in a polymeric resin containingchemical antistatic agents to render the composition electrostaticallydissipative.

Non-limiting examples of mold release compositions include esters oflong-chain aliphatic acids and alcohols such as pentaerythritol, guerbetalcohols, long-chain ketones, siloxanes, alpha.-olefin polymers,long-chain alkanes and hydrocarbons having 15 to 600 carbon atoms.

Non-limiting examples of flame retardants that can be used includepotassium diphenylsulfone sulfonate, perfluoroalkane sulfonates andphosphite esters of polyhydric phenols, such as resorcinol and bisphenolA.

The thermoplastic composition may optionally comprise an impactmodifier. The impact modifier resin added to the thermoplasticcomposition in an amount corresponding to about 1 percent to about 30percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.Suitable impact modifiers include those comprising one of severaldifferent rubbery modifiers such as graft or core shell rubbers orcombinations of two or more of these modifiers. Impact modifiers areillustrated by acrylic rubber, ASA rubber, diene rubber, organosiloxanerubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber,styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubber,styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS) rubber,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) rubber,methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) rubber, styrene acrylonitrilecopolymer and glycidyl ester impact modifier.

The term “acrylic rubber modifier” may refer to multi-stage, core-shell,interpolymer modifiers having a cross-linked or partially crosslinked(meth)acrylate rubbery core phase, preferably butyl acrylate. Associatedwith this cross-linked acrylic ester core is an outer shell of anacrylic or styrenic resin, preferably methyl methacrylate or styrene,which interpenetrates the rubbery core phase. Incorporation of smallamounts of other monomers such as acrylonitrile or (meth)acrylonitrilewithin the resin shell also provides suitable impact modifiers. Theinterpenetrating network is provided when the monomers forming the resinphase are polymerized and cross-linked in the presence of the previouslypolymerized and cross-linked (meth)acrylate rubbery phase.

Suitable impact modifiers are graft or core shell structures with arubbery component with a Tg below 0° C., preferably between about −40°to −80° C., composed of poly alkylacrylates or polyolefins grafted withpolymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN). Preferablythe rubber content is at least 10 wt. percent, more preferably greaterthan 40 wt. percent, and most preferably between about 40 and 75 wt.percent.

Other suitable impact modifiers are the butadiene core-shell polymers ofthe type available from Rohm & Haas, for example Paraloid® EXL2600. Mostsuitable impact modifier will comprise a two stage polymer having abutadiene based rubbery core and a second stage polymerized frommethylmethacrylate alone or in combination with styrene. Other suitablerubbers are the ABS types Blendex® 336 and 415, available from GESpecialty Chemicals. Both rubbers are based on impact modifier resin ofSBR rubber. Although several rubbers have been described, many more arecommercially available. Any rubber may be used as an impact modifier aslong as the impact modifier does not negatively impact the physical oraesthetic properties of the thermoplastic composition.

Non-limiting examples of processing aids that can be used includeDoverlube® FL-599 (available from Dover Chemical Corporation),Polyoxyter® (available from Polychem Alloy Inc.), Glycolube® P(available from Lonza Chemical Company), pentaerythritol tetrastearate,Metablen® A-3000 (available from Mitsubishi Rayon) and neopentyl glycoldibenzoate.

Radiation stabilizers may also be present in the thermoplasticcomposition, specifically gamma-radiation stabilizers. Suitablegamma-radiation stabilizers include diols, such as ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol,meso-2,3-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 2,3-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanedioland 1,4-hexandiol; alicyclic alcohols such as 1,2-cyclopentanediol and1,2-cyclohexanediol; branched acyclic diols such as2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol (pinacol), and polyols, as well asalkoxy-substituted cyclic or acyclic alkanes. Alkenols, with sites ofunsaturation, are also a useful class of alcohols, examples of whichinclude 4-methyl-4-penten-2-ol, 3-methyl-pentene-3-ol,2-methyl-4-penten-2-ol, 2,4-dimethyl-4-pene-2-ol, and 9-decen-1-ol.Another class of suitable alcohols is the tertiary alcohols, which haveat least one hydroxy substituted tertiary carbon. Examples of theseinclude 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (hexylene glycol), 2-phenyl-2-butanol,3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butanone and 2-phenyl-2-butanol., andcycoloaliphatic tertiary carbons such as 1-hydroxy-1-methyl-cyclohexane.Another class of suitable alcohols is hydroxymethyl aromatics, whichhave hydroxy substitution on a saturated carbon attached to anunsaturated carbon in an aromatic ring. The hydroxy substitutedsaturated carbon may be a methylol group (—CH₂OH) or it may be a memberof a more complex hydrocarbon group such as would be the case with(—CR⁴HOH) or (—CR₂ ⁴OH) wherein R⁴ is a complex or a simply hydrocarbon.Specific hydroxy methyl aromatics may be benzhydrol,1,3-benzenedimethanol, benzyl alcohol, 4-benzyloxy benzyl alcohol andbenzyl benzyl alcohol. Specific alcohols are 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol(also known as hexylene glycol), polyethylene glycol, polypropyleneglycol.

Where a foam is desired, a blowing agent may be added to thecomposition. Suitable blowing agents include for example, low boilinghalohydrocarbons; those that generate carbon dioxide; blowing agentsthat are solid at room temperature and that when heated to temperatureshigher than their decomposition temperature, generate gases such asnitrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia gas or the like, such asazodicarbonamide, metal salts of azodicarbonamide, 4,4′oxybis(benzenesulfonylhydrazide), sodium bicarbonate, ammoniumcarbonate, or the like, or combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing blowing agents.

Anti-drip agents may also be used, for example a fibril forming ornon-fibril forming fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).The anti-drip agent may be encapsulated by a rigid copolymer asdescribed above, for example styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN). PTFEencapsulated in SAN is known as TSAN. Encapsulated fluoropolymers may bemade by polymerizing the encapsulating polymer in the presence of thefluoropolymer, for example an aqueous dispersion. TSAN may providesignificant advantages over PTFE, in that TSAN may be more readilydispersed in the composition. A suitable TSAN may comprise, for example,about 50 wt. percent PTFE and about 50 wt. percent SAN, based on thetotal weight of the encapsulated fluoropolymer. The SAN may comprise,for example, about 75 wt. percent styrene and about 25 wt. percentacrylonitrile based on the total weight of the copolymer. Alternatively,the fluoropolymer may be pre-blended in some manner with a secondpolymer, such as for, example, an aromatic polycarbonate resin or SAN toform an agglomerated material for use as an anti-drip agent. Eithermethod may be used to produce an encapsulated fluoropolymer.

The thermoplastic compositions may be manufactured by methods generallyavailable in the art, for example, in one embodiment, in one manner ofproceeding, powdered polymer resin and/or other optional components arefirst blended, in a Henschel™ high speed mixer. Other low shearprocesses including but not limited to hand mixing may also accomplishthis blending. The blend is then fed into the throat of a twin-screwextruder via a hopper. Alternatively, one or more of the components maybe incorporated into the composition by feeding directly into theextruder at the throat and/or downstream through a sidestuffer. Suchadditives may also be compounded into a masterbatch with a desiredpolymeric resin and fed into the extruder. The extruder is generallyoperated at a temperature higher than that necessary to cause thecomposition to flow. The extrudate is immediately quenched in a waterbatch and pelletized. The pellets, so prepared, when cutting theextrudate may be one-fourth inch long or less as desired. Such pelletsmay be used for subsequent molding, shaping, or forming.

Shaped, formed, or molded articles comprising the polycarbonatecompositions are also provided. The polycarbonate compositions may bemolded into useful shaped articles by a variety of means such asinjection molding, extrusion, rotational molding, blow molding andthermoforming to form articles such as, for example, computer andbusiness machine housings such as housings for monitors, handheldelectronic device housings such as housings for cell phones, electricalconnectors, and components of lighting fixtures, ornaments, homeappliances, roofs, greenhouses, sun rooms, swimming pool enclosures andautomotive application. (e.g., forward lighting enclosures for carheadlamps).

The disclosure is explained in more detail with reference to thefollowing non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES

Unless indicated otherwise temperature is in degrees centigrade (° C.).Molecular weights are reported as number average (Mn) or weight average(Mw) molecular weight and were determined by gel permeationchromatography using polymer solutions comprising the productcopolycarbonates at a concentration of about 1 milligram (mg) permilliliter (ml) in methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂). The molecular weightsare referenced to polystyrene (PS) molecular weight standards orpolycarbonate (PC) standards as referred to in the examples.Copolycarbonate composition was determined by NMR spectroscopicanalysis. Glass transition temperature (Tg) values were determined bydifferential scanning calorimetry, using a Perkin Elmer DSC7. The Tg wascalculated, based on the “½ Cp” (half centipoises) method (heat capacityat constant pressure), using a heating ramp of 20° C./minute. The secondheating curve is used for the actual Tg determination.

Examples 1-4

The general method employed for the preparation of copolymer using BPAand methyl-4,4-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diphenylcyclohexane-1,1-dicarboxylate is outlined below. The melt reactor wasprepared by acid washing, rinsing and drying with nitrogen gas. The meltreactor was then charged with BPA,methyl-4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diphenylcyclohexane-1,1-dicarboxylate, bismethylsalicylate MSC) in examples 1 to3 and diphenyl carbonate (DPC) in example 4, and 100 microliters of anaqueous solution of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and sodiumhydroxide (NaOH) in an amount corresponding to about 2.5×10⁻⁵ TMAH and2×10⁻⁶ moles NaOH based on the total number of moles of BPA andmethyl-4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diphenylcyclohexane-1,1-dicarboxylate (MBHDCD) combined. The amounts ofreactants are included in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 BPA bMSC Example(grams) MBHDCD (g) 1 12.26 3.2 20 2 6.81 15.99 20 3 0 16.07 10 4 4.9311.58  10¹¹diphenyl carbonate

After the melt reactor was purged with nitrogen, a temperature-pressureregime of specific time intervals involving certain number of steps wasused to carry out the melt polymerization. The number of steps, thecorresponding time, temperature and pressure at each step is outlined inTable 2 (Examples 1 and 2), Table 3 (Example 3) and Table 4 (Example 4)below. TABLE 2 Time Temperature Pressure Pressure Steps (minutes) (° C.)(millibars) (Pascals) 1 10 200 1010 10.1 × 10⁴ 2 5 220 1010 10.1 × 10⁴ 330 220 500   5 × 10⁴ 4 5 270 500   5 × 10⁴ 5 10 300 0.5-1 50-100

TABLE 3 Time Temperature Pressure Pressure Steps (minutes) (° C.)(millibars) (Pascals 1 7 200 1010 10.1 × 10⁴   2 7 230 1010 10.1 × 10⁴  3 5 250 500 5 × 10⁴ 4 5 270 500 5 × 10⁴ 5 2 300 100 1 × 10⁴ 6 5 350 1001 × 10⁴ 7 2 370 100 1 × 10⁴ 8 10 370 0.5-1 50-100

TABLE 4 Time Temperature Pressure Pressure Steps (minutes) (° C.)(millibars) (Pascals 1 10 230 1010 10.1 × 10⁴  2 60 230 170 1.7 × 10⁴ 325 270 20 2.0 × 10⁴ 4 5 330 20 2.0 × 10⁴ 5 10 330 0.5-1 50-100 6 20 3500.5-1 50-100

As the reaction progressed through the different steps, correspondingby-products were removed from the reaction mixture by distillation; forexample in Examples 1-3 where bMSC was employed as the carbonylatingagent, methyl salicylate was removed as the byproduct, and in Example 4where DPC was used as the carbonylating agent, phenol was removed as thebyproduct. A fast increase in the torque build up was observed duringthe polymerization. After the specified number of steps in each example,the reactor was brought back to atmospheric pressure with nitrogen flow,and the product copolycarbonate was recovered and analyzed. The resultsof the analysis are included in Table 5 below. TABLE 5 Tg Mw RefractiveExamples ° C. Daltons Index 1 152 43,200 NA 2 215 NA 1.58 3 251 18,000NA 4 233 47,000 NANA → not available

The results provided in Table 5 indicate that by employing thepolycyclic dihydroxy aromatic compounds prepared in Example 1, a polymerhaving a Tg greater than 150° C. and Refractive Index of 1.58 isobtained. The examples indicate that polycyclic dihydroxy compound maybe employed to prepare polymers with great ease using an interfacial ora melt process as discussed above. More over the Tg and Refractive indexvalues indicate that the polymer may have high heat opticalapplications.

Example-5

Dichloromethane (250 mililiters (ml)), deionized water (250 ml),4,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diphenyl-cyclohexane-1,1-dicarboxylic aciddimethyl ester (21.05 grams (g); 0.039 moles), Bisphenol A (8.95 g;0.039 moles), p-cumylphenol (0.05 g, 0.0024 moles), and triethylamine(0.16 ml; 0.0011 moles) were charged to a 2 L flask equipped withmechanical agitation, a condenser, and a caustic vent scrubber. Phosgene(12 g, 0.12 moles) was added at a rate of 1.0 g/minutes with vigorousstirring while a 50 wt percent solution of sodium hydroxide was added ata rate to maintain the pH of the reaction mixture at about 9 to 10.After the addition of phosgene was completed, the reaction mixture waspurged with nitrogen for about 10 minutes to ensure complete removal ofphosgene. Stirring was stopped, and the reaction mass allowed to phaseseparate. A small amount of solids were visible at the phase interface.The organic phase containing the product polymer was separated, washedwith 1N HCl (1×500 ml) and then with DI water (3×500 ml). The polymersolution was then slowly fed into approximately 2 L of hot water withrapid stirring to boil off the dichloromethane, and the resulting whitepolymer was isolated by filtration and dried in air at 110° C.overnight. GPC of the dried polymer gave Mw=16659 and Mn=6758 usingpolycarbonate standard. Tg of the polymer=232° C.

Example 6

Dichloromethane (400 ml), deionized water (400 ml),4,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diphenyl-cyclohexane-1,1-dicarboxylic aciddimethyl ester 34.0 g, Bisphenol A (14.15 g), and methyltributylammoniumchloride (0.2 ml of a 70 wt percent aqueous solution) were charged to a2 L flask equipped with mechanical agitation, condenser, and a causticvent scrubber. Phosgene (18 g) was added at a rate of 1.0 g/minute withvigorous stirring while a 50 wt percent solution of sodium hydroxide wasadded at a rate to maintain the pH of the reaction mixture at about 6 to7. After phosgene addition was complete, nitrogen was purged through thereaction mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred until all solidsdisappeared. A 50 wt percent solution of sodium hydroxide was added asneeded to maintain the pH at about 7 to 8. Triethylamine (approx 0.1 ml)was then added and a 50 wt percent solution of sodium hydroxide wasadded (as needed) to maintain the pH at about 9 to 10, until nochloroformates were detected. The nitrogen purge was stopped andadditional phosgene (2 g) was added at a rate of 1 g/min while a 50 wtpercent solution of sodium hydroxide was added at a rate to maintain theat about 9 to 10. After phosgene addition was complete, the batch waspurged with nitrogen for about 10 minutes to ensure complete removal ofphosgene. Stirring was stopped, and the batch allowed to phase separate.The organic phase containing polymer was separated, washed with 1N HCl(1×500 ml) and then with deionized water (3×500 ml). The polymersolution was then slowly fed into approximately 2 L of hot water withrapid stirring to boil off the CH₂Cl₂, and the resulting white polymerwas isolated by filtration and dried in air at 110° C. overnight. GPC ofthe dried polymer gave Mw=55473 and Mn=17080 using polycarbonatestandard. Tg of the polymer=232° C.

While typical embodiments have been set forth for the purpose ofillustration, the foregoing descriptions should not be deemed to be alimitation on the scope herein. Accordingly, various modifications,adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope herein.

1. A polymer comprising structural units derived from a polycyclicdihydroxy compound of Formula (I)

wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a cyanofunctionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons andan aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitrofunctionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons,a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and anaromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and each R³ and R⁴,at each occurrence, can be the same or different and are independentlyat each occurrence an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons ora cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, n is an integerhaving a value 0 to 4 and m is an integer having a value 0 to
 4. 2. Thepolymer of claim 1, wherein the polymer is a polycarbonate, a polyester,a copolyestercarbonate, a polyurethane, or an epoxide-containingpolymer.
 3. The polycarbonate of claim 2 comprising structural carbonateunits of the Formula (III)

wherein at least about 60 percent of the total number of R⁵ groups arearomatic functionalities and the balance thereof are aliphatic,alicyclic, or aromatic functionalities and further wherein at least twoR⁵ groups are structural units derived from a polycyclic dihydroxycompound of Formula (I).
 4. The polycarbonate of claim 2, comprisingabout 1 to about 100 mole percent of R⁵ units derived from a dihydroxycompound of Formula (I).
 5. The polycarbonate of claim 2 furthercomprising structural units derived from bisphenol A.
 6. Thepolycarbonate of claim 2, further comprising at least one structuralunit having Formula (XIV), Formula (XV) or Formula (XVI)


7. The polyester of claim 2 comprising structural units of the Formula(V)

wherein D is divalent functionality derived from a dihydroxy compound,wherein at least two of D are derived from divalent functionalityderived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) and whereinT is a divalent functionality derived from a dicarboxylic acid.
 8. Thepolyester of claim 2, further comprising at least one structural unithaving Formula (XV) or Formula (XVI)


9. The copolyestercarbonate of claim 2 comprising recurring carbonateunits of Formula (III)

wherein at least about 60 percent of the total number of R⁵ groups arearomatic functionalities and the balance thereof are aliphatic,alicyclic, or aromatic functionalities; and structural units of Formula(V)

wherein D is derived from a divalent functionality derived from adihydroxy compound, and wherein at least two R⁵ groups, at least two ofD groups or at least one of R⁵ and at least one of D are derived from adihydroxy compound of Formula (I) and wherein T is a divalentfunctionality derived from a dicarboxylic acid.
 10. Thecopolyestercarbonate of claim 2, further comprising at least onestructural unit Formula (XIV), Formula (XV) or Formula (XVI).


11. A polycarbonate comprising at least two structural units derivedfrom a dihydroxy compound of Formula (II).


12. A process for preparing a polymer, comprising polymerizing apolycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I),

wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a cyanofunctionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons andan aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitrofunctionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons,a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and anaromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and each R³ and R⁴,at each occurrence, can be the same or different and are independentlyat each occurrence an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons ora cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, “n” is an integerhaving a value 0 to 4 and “m” is an integer having a value 0 to
 4. 13.The process of claim 12, wherein polymerizing comprises dissolving ordispersing a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) in an aqueousbase, adding the resulting mixture to a water-immiscible solvent to forman interfacial mixture, and contacting the interfacial mixture with acarbonate precursor in the presence of a catalyst under controlled pHconditions.
 14. The process of claim 13, wherein the aqueous basecomprises sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
 15. The process ofclaim 13, wherein the carbonate precursor comprises a carbonyl halide, ahaloformate, bishaloformate of a glycol, an ester or mixtures of atleast two or more of the foregoing.
 16. The process of claim 13, whereinthe catalyst comprises triethylamine or a phase transfer catalyst or acombination of triethylamine and a phase transfer catalyst.
 17. Theprocess of claim 13, wherein the water-immiscible solvent comprisesmethylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, toluene or acombination of two or more of the foregoing solvents.
 18. The process ofclaim 13, wherein pH is maintained at a pH of about 8 to about
 10. 19.The process of claim 12, wherein the polymerizing comprises reacting, ina molten state, the polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) and adiaryl carbonate ester, in the presence of a transesterificationcatalyst.
 20. The process of claim 19, wherein the diaryl carbonateester comprises a diphenylcarbonate ester, bismethyl salicylatecarbonate or a combination of diphenylcarbonate ester and bis methylsalicylate carbonate.
 21. The process of claim 12, wherein saidpolymerizing comprises reacting a dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) witha dicarboxylic acid compound of Formula (XVII)

wherein R⁸ is independently at each occurrence hydroxy, chloro, or OR⁹,wherein R⁹ is independently at each occurrence selected from the groupconsisting of an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, acycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, and an aromaticfunctionality having 6 to 10 carbons; and wherein “T” is a divalentfunctionality derived from a dicarboxylic acid, wherein the divalentfunctionality comprises a cycloaliphatic functionality having 6 to 10carbon atoms, an aromatic functionality having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, oran aliphatic functionality having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
 22. The processof claim 12, wherein said polymerizing comprises reacting a dihydroxycompound of Formula (I) with a carbonate precursor and a dicarboxylicacid compound of Formula (XVII)

wherein R⁸ is independently at each occurrence hydroxy, chloro, or OR⁹,wherein R⁹ is independently at each occurrence selected from the groupconsisting of an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, acycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, and an aromaticfunctionality having 6 to 10 carbons; and wherein “T” is a divalentfunctionality derived from a dicarboxylic acid, wherein the divalentfunctionality comprises a cycloaliphatic functionality having 6 to 10carbon atoms, an aromatic functionality having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, oran aliphatic functionality having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
 23. Apolycarbonate prepared according to the process of claim
 15. 24. Apolycarbonate prepared according to the process of claim
 21. 25. Apolyester prepared according to the process of claim
 23. 26. Acopolyestercarbonate prepared according to the process of claim
 24. 27.A thermoplastic composition comprising a polymer derived from structuralunits comprising of Formula (I),

wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a cyanofunctionality, a nitro functionality, an aliphatic functionality having1 to 10 carbons, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10carbons, a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons andan aromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; R² is selectedfrom the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitrofunctionality, an aliphatic ester functionality having 2 to 10 carbons,a cycloaliphatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons and anaromatic ester functionality having 4 to 10 carbons; and each R³ and R⁴,at each occurrence, can be the same or different and are independentlyat each occurrence an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons ora cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, “n” is an integerhaving a value 0 to 4 and “m” is an integer having a value 0 to
 4. 28.The thermoplastic composition of claim 27, further comprising anadditive selected from the group consisting of fillers or reinforcingagents, thermal stabilizers, radiation stabilizers, antioxidants, lightstabilizers, UV stabilizers, plasticizers, visual effect enhancers,extenders, antistatic agents, catalyst quenchers, mold release agents,flame retardants, infrared shielding agents, whitening agents, blowingagents, anti-drip agents, impact modifiers and processing aids.
 29. Anarticle comprising the composition of claim
 27. 30. A method ofmanufacture of an article comprising molding, extruding, or shaping thepolymer of claim 1 into an article.